Tipperary TD says he saw 'no better alternative' than to vote for Micheál Martin as Taoiseach

Mattie McGrath has spoken out about why he voted in favour of Micheál Martin's appointment as Taoiseach, during a Dáil vote last week.

The news of the vote surprised many as McGrath has been a fierce critic of Martin over the past few years.

Micheál Martin was appointed Taoiseach on Thursday January 23, the day after the first sitting of the Dáil was derailed when chaos broke out between members on Wednesday.

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Speaking with McGrath about his reasons for voting in Micheál Martin as Taoiseach last week, he said: 

"Fianna Fáil were the biggest party after the election so Micheál Martin was in pro position to become Taoiseach. I have been a fierce critic of Michael Martin in the past and I will continue to be in the arrangement I have now because I can vote on any issue in any which way I like.

"The reason I joined the Regional Independents is because I was denied action to the Independent Ireland Group. I was on my own in my old group the Rural Independents and that would be of no benefit to myself or to anyone in Tipperary.

“I believe we’ll have a far better government now that we’re rid of the greens, as far as Tipperary’s concerned anyway and rural Ireland. Ireland is better off too, as the policies were disastrous for our government.

“I had written to Micheál Martin after the election as leader of the Rural Independents at the time, and he never got back to me. He did ring me last week after that and I saw no better alternative on offer. We saw the bedlam that happened last week. Our fundamental duty after being elected as TD’s is to pick a Taoiseach in government. I think it was a a far better choice than a left leaning coalition.

“I will be meeting him tomorrow and he has promised me full access to all the ministers. More importantly we'll discuss the National Development plan, other Tipperary projects like the N24, Tipperary Town bypass and Ardfinnan Bridge.

“I’m also going to speak with him about our deteriorating situation in Clonmel, our capital of Tipperary. We need to tackle the issues of dereliction, crime and lack of infrastructure in the town.”

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